Middle East Council of Churches convenes

The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) held its 11th General Assembly this week, bringing leaders from regional churches together to pursue a unified ecclesiastical voice in the midst of human suffering that is permeating the region.

The assembly, hosted by Jordan for the first time at the invitation of Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem, has adopted as its theme Psalm 136: 1, ”Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, His mercy endures forever.” Twenty-two presidents of Middle East churches from Jordan, Iraq, Syria, Palestine, Cyprus, Lebanon, Egypt and Iran are participating in addition to representatives from other churches and international institutions.

WCC associate general secretary Prof. Dr Isabel Apawo Phiri offered remarks, thanking those assembled for their efforts. “This gathering, where all heads of churches in the region came to witness and act together, is not only a sign of the rebirth of the MECC but also and especially a strong sign of hope for the Christians in the region and beyond,” she said.